SD Afterschool Network

06/16/2026

The Practical Pathways for Supporting Working Families Through Out-of-School Time report from the South Dakota Child Care Task Force makes one thing clear: access to afterschool care is critical to both family stability and a strong workforce.

Key findings highlight the challenges and opportunities:

📊 Demand outpaces supply — families need more available out-of-school time options than currently exist.
📍 Access remains uneven, leaving gaps for working parents across communities.
💰 Cost directly affects workforce stability, shaping whether parents can maintain consistent employment.
🤝 Funding and partnerships are essential to expanding and sustaining programs.
⭐ Quality matters — strong programs support both student growth and family well-being.

Afterschool is not a “nice to have.” It is a core part of supporting working families and strengthening South Dakota’s economy.

Explore the full report here:https://www.sdafterschoolnetwork.org/_files/ugd/f8c636_e55cff051c924ad8b42e514271a86d55.pdf

06/11/2026

Advocating for afterschool and summer programs comes naturally when you see the impact it has on young people, families, schools, and communities across South Dakota. The benefits are clear, and the stories we hear from programs every day reinforce why this work matters.

We appreciate the members of South Dakota’s congressional delegation and their staff for taking the time to meet with us, listen to the needs of South Dakota youth and families, and engage in important conversations about the future of out-of-school time programs.

06/09/2026

The new Practical Pathways for Supporting Working Families Through Out-of-School Time report from the South Dakota Child Care Task Force highlights an important truth: afterschool programs are essential to strong families and a strong workforce.

When parents have access to quality, reliable out-of-school time programs, they can work full-time, maintain steady employment, and support their family's economic stability. At the same time, young people have a safe, engaging place to learn, build skills, and thrive.

Investing in afterschool is an investment in South Dakota's children, working families, and future.

Learn more by exploring the full report here:https://www.sdafterschoolnetwork.org/_files/ugd/f8c636_e55cff051c924ad8b42e514271a86d55.pdf

06/08/2026

Did you know that while South Dakota ranks among the top states for afterschool program participation and access, nearly two-thirds of the children who need afterschool or summer care still aren't being served?

Read the full story from South Dakota Searchlight to learn more about the challenges, successes, and solutions shaping the future of afterschool care in South Dakota.

More kids have access to and participate in afterschool programs in South Dakota than they do in nearly any other state.

06/04/2026

Adolescence is a period where relationships, belonging, and identity formation are central to development. Research shows that strong peer connections and supportive adult relationships are protective factors for mental health.

But many young people are spending more time in digital environments while having fewer opportunities for meaningful, in-person engagement.

This isn’t just about screen time. It’s about access to environments that support healthy development.

Youth development programs help create those environments. They offer consistent relationships, dedicated spaces, and engaging opportunities where young people can build skills, confidence and a sense of belonging as they find their footing in the world.

These experiences don’t happen by chance. They are intentionally built to keep young people engaged and coming back.

If new public resources become available through social media litigation, investing in these programs is a practical way to strengthen the conditions that support youth well-being.

Fund IRL is working to ensure that connection is part of the response.

Join us: FundIRL.org.

06/02/2026

South Dakota’s working families need strong out-of-school time opportunities and the new Child Care Task Force report highlights why.

📊 About 60,000 school-age children in South Dakota need afterschool or summer care, but only 20,000 are currently being served.

💲 The average annual cost of care is nearly $7,900, placing a significant burden on families.

👥 Workforce shortages continue to challenge programs, with many staff earning near or below $15 per hour, leading to high turnover and limited enrollment.

⭐ Consistent, high-quality experiences for children depend on stable staffing, but frequent turnover makes that increasingly difficult.

The report, Practical Pathways for Supporting Working Families Through Out-of-School Time, outlines actionable recommendations to expand access, strengthen the workforce, improve affordability, and support quality programs across South Dakota.

Every child deserves access to safe, engaging learning opportunities beyond the school day and every family deserves the support they need to thrive.

Learn more by reading the full report here: https://bit.ly/3PPBYea

05/31/2026

This story highlights one of the key findings that helped drive the work of the South Dakota Out-of-School Time Task Force: nearly 40,000 South Dakota children would participate in an afterschool program if one were available.

While SDAN helped support this effort, the report and recommendations come from the Childcare Task Force itself. That includes groups and individuals such as SDAEYC, Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment, Senator Tim Reed, and many more. The final report represents months of discussion, research, data analysis, and input from partners across South Dakota who care deeply about children, families, workforce participation, and community success.

There is a lot more behind these numbers than can't always fit into a news story. We encourage you to take some time to explore the full report and recommendations and consider what they mean for your community.

The conversation doesn’t end with the report. In many ways, it’s just beginning.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The need for childcare doesn’t stop once the children are in school, as a new report on after-school child care points out. The South Dakota Afterschool Network (SDAN) released its task force report, “Practical Pathways for Supporting Working Families Through Out-of-...

05/28/2026

There's still time to join us Thursday, May 28 at 11 AM CT for the release of the South Dakota OST Task Force Report: Practical Pathways for Supporting Working Families Through Out-of-School Time.

This important conversation will dive into the challenges and opportunities shaping South Dakota’s Out-of-School Time landscape, including access, quality, workforce, and long-term sustainability for programs serving children and families across our state.

Register now to attend and learn more at: https://bit.ly/SDOSTReport

05/26/2026

Join us on Thursday, May 28 at 11 AM CT for the release of the South Dakota OST Task Force Report: Practical Pathways for Supporting Working Families Through Out-of-School Time.

This important conversation will dive into the challenges and opportunities shaping South Dakota’s Out-of-School Time landscape, including access, quality, workforce, and long-term sustainability for programs serving children and families across our state.

We’re grateful to partner alongside Early Learner South Dakota, SDAEYC, Senator Tim Reed, Afterschool Alliance and many others through the Childcare Taskforce in advancing solutions that support South Dakota youth and working families.

Register now to attend and learn more at: https://bit.ly/SDOSTReport